Posted in Cover bands Candy Corn Carne Episodes Halloween

You wanted the heaviest … you got the heaviest… PHAT KISS (Episode 895)

Plus-sized Kiss tribute band Phat Kiss plays Livewire (3394 N. Milwaukee) Halloween night. Half the band joined me at Cobra Lounge to talk about the show, and everything relating to Kiss. Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art….

Posted in Candy Corn Carne cinema Episodes Giallo Halloween movies

Halloween time is Giallo time in Chicago: Cinephile Stephanie Sack (Episode 894)

Cinephile/Giallo expert Stephanie Sack returns to Car Con Carne to talk about some Giallo events happening in Chicago during this Halloween season. The centerpiece of that list is a special appearance by “Suspiria” actress Barbara Magnolfi at Chicago’s horror-themed cafe,…

Posted in Candy Corn Carne Episodes Halloween Melrose Park

‘We don’t just sell rubber Halloween masks. We sell characters’ – Zagone Studios (Episode 893)

Every year, Halloween fans scramble to find the perfect masks and costumes to represent themselves through Spooky Season. For decades, a local mask maker has been there for them. Zagone Studios in Melrose Park has been making handmade (!) masks…

Posted in Candy Corn Carne Episodes Halloween haunted house

A visit with Tim Virgin to favorite haunt HellsGate (Episode 892)

Let me just get this out of the way: The annual opening of HellsGate is one of my most anticipated events of the year. The immersive, engaging haunt is world class, and I leave there smiling and giddy every year….

Posted in Halloween Avondale Candy Corn Carne Episodes horror Small business

Horror House scares up business in Avondale (Episode 891)

The Horror House (2911 W. Belmont) has been open for just over a year, and has quickly established itself as an essential part of Chicago’s pop culture landscape. As Halloween approaches, I sat down with Horror House co-owner Vinny Malave…

Posted in Halloween Candy Corn Carne Episodes

Halloween season is ‘go time’ for monster band The Ooozin’ Ahhhs (Episode 890)

I’m joined by members of monster band the Ooozin’ Ahhhs for this Halloween/Candy Corn Carne episode. Maximilian, Mx. Supreme, Boris and Icfos packed their scary selves into my car to talk about their origins in Romania, the rich history of…

Posted in Episodes breweries

H.O.O.F. celebrates the ‘women, femmes, and thems of the Chicago punk scene’ (Episode 889)

The first-ever H.O.O.F. (Hands Off Our Fest) happens on Saturday, September 30 at Blue Island Beer Company (13357 Olde Western Avenue, Blue Island). Appearing on the bill are: Sweetie Hayley and the Crushers Won’t Stay Dead Heet Death Hi Ho…

Posted in Episodes

Not young men in a dark parking lot: My chat with Young Man in a Hurry (Episode 888)

Matt Baron of Young Man in a Hurry joins me for hot dogs at U Dawg U in Northfield. We talk about the new album, “Actor Brought a Vice,” and the unorthodox way it was recorded and produced. We also…

Posted in Episodes Riot Fest Riot Fest 2023

Hotline TNT at Riot Fest (Episode 881)

Sadly, Hotline TNT was one of the bands that got cut on Day Three of Riot Fest due to extreme weather. Happily, Will Anderson was onsite the night before, and I took the occasion to learn more about the band…

Posted in Episodes Riot Fest Riot Fest 2023

Smoking Popes – The Riot Fest band that wasn’t (Episode 887)

This wasn’t the interview I’d set out to have with Smoking Popes frontman Josh Caterer. Smoking Popes were set to play an early slot on Day Three of Riot Fest; unfortunately the weather had other plans for the band. Flash…